The Friday Poem: Creation

CREATION  by Jeremy Cantor

If one of my characters
declared that he had no free will
because I had already decided his fate
I would be annoyed
and destroy the manuscript

If another of my characters
claimed to have logically proven
the fact of my existence
I would be mildly amused
and leave him to his own devices

But if one of my characters
disagreed with me
argued with me
stood up on two feet,
looked me in the eye
and told me where to go —

Then I would laugh uproariously
and keep writing

Following is commentary by Patch poetry maestro Jeff Burkhart:

I love to read Kurt Vonnegut. I remember reading "Breakfast of Champions". Kilgore Trout, a novelist and character in the book, is actually Vonnegut's alter ego. Trout lets businessman Duane Hoover read his book. In so doing Hoover is made aware that he is the only person in the universe. Everyone else is a robot. This causes Hoover  to go on a rampage. He realizes that his own existence was made possible by this writer, this God, his Creator.

Interaction between a writer and the characters he creates is at the essence of today's poem. It is entitled "CREATION" and is written by Jeremy Cantor. To argue with, threaten the existence of, or to simply let the characters you create,  live in peace in your writings, seems a function of you getting in touch with your power over them Jeremy. My only advice to you is that when you put your pen down, leave your omnipotence at the writing table. Remember, everyone else is a robot.

Jeff "Kilgore Trout" Burkhart

Do you subscribe to the Benicia Patch newsletter? It brings our latest stories, blogs, announcements and the day's calendar events to your in-box early each morning. Follow Benicia Patch on Facebook and Twitter.

Do you have opinions, experiences and views to share? Consider becoming a Benicia Patch blogger!

If there’s something in this article you think should be corrected, or if something else is amiss, call editor JB Davis at 707-628-0051 or email him at benicia@patch.com.